Bahrainthismonth.com 18 Jul 2023 interview After more than four years in the top seat, Mr Al Samahiji has guided the K Hotel through its most difficult period with an expert hand. It was a labour of love for the man with the incredible 25-year career, who began in a junior position in the food and beverage department in 1998. The K Hotel is where he started his hospitality management career in earnest, and where he has remained for the past 10 years. He started out by spending two years as director of sales and marketing back in 2013. He was soon promoted to executive assistant manager after completing the General Managers Programme at Cornell University in 2015. In 2017 he was appointed as the general manager of one of the leading four-star hotels in the Kingdom, operated by the Gulf Hotels Group. Asked what drives him in the hospitality industry, Mr Al Samahiji explains: “Of course, I was attracted by the luxury and etiquette. But, more importantly, it allows you to meet anyone at any level. I am a sociable kind of guy and I enjoy building strong relationships with our guests and our associates.” His relationship with his group of staff remains stronger than ever, emphasised by the fact that the K Hotel managed to successfully negotiate the pandemic, an extremely challenging period for the industry, without losing any staff or delaying of salary payments thanks to an effective pro-active plan. He says: “I was brought up to believe that nothing is impossible if you have a vision and you fight to get it. You need always to think positive and don’t listen to people who are not prepared to grow. There are always challenges but you can overcome them. I have full trust in my team and I believe they trust me too, my door is always open and I think the culture of mutual loyalty which we have nurtured at the K Hotel is one of the main reasons behind its success.” The K Hotel’s popularity is undoubtedly due to its trendy décor. Mr Al Samahiji’s proudest improvement in his four-year tenure is the relaunch of both the K Lounge as a modern, ambient setting with a plethora of books, games and artworks to create a chilled vibe, and the K Tracks Lounge on the first floor which caters to sport and live entertainment fans. The hotel’s extensive food and beverage options are also attractive; this year saw the hotel host a Ramadan Tent for the first time, which was a huge success, while its KOLORS restaurant is a popular spot particularly for weekly brunches. Furthermore, the hotel has erected a giant LED screen on the building which has become a popular landmark in bustling Juffair, a leading innovation which other outlets are keen to emulate. As for the future, he says: “The K Hotel has an excellent name in the market, and I want to continue to develop that. I will also continue to maintain our top key accounts and corporate clients ensuring our loyal customers receive the service they deserve. We are also extremely proud of our monthly corporate social responsibility programmes which we will continue to push. “I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to the K Hotel team, owners, board members and also the wider Gulf Hotels Group, for the support they’ve shown me which allows me to operate as I do. “There’s a lot to look forward to in the future and I am excited for the challenges it will bring. I’m a proud Bahraini in a Bahraini company, and I want to set an example to young locals who want to get into the hospitality industry. There are big opportunities out there if you are willing to do the work necessary to get the job done, even when it lies outside your normal range. The best way to motivate hotel staff members is to be a manager who leads by example.” LEADING AT THE HELM The K Hotel has established itself as one of the trendiest four-star deluxe hotels in the Kingdom with Bahraini general manager Hussain Al Samahiji at the helm. He tells Kristian Harrison about his philosophy and the hotel’s next chapter.
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